用MTDFREML方法估计大白猪遗传参数

本研究应用ＭＴＤＦＲＥＭＬ方法对３４１窝大白猪选育群和１４７０头测定猪繁殖性状、生长性状、体型性状等进行遗传力和遗传相关估计,窝总产仔数和活产仔数遗传力分别是０．１１和０．１３。１６５日龄校正体重的遗传力是０．３１。校正背膘厚遗传力０．３８～０．５０。窝总产仔数与校正体重的遗传相关为－０．０２。窝总产仔数与肩部、腰部、荐部及三点平均膘厚的校正背膘厚的遗传相关是－０．３４～－０．６６。活产仔数与校正背膘厚的遗传相关是－０．０８～－０．１１。     

猪体重和体尺性状与繁殖性能间的相关

研究了母猪不同阶段的体重和6月龄体尺性状与繁殖性能间的关系，结果表明：母猪的体重、6月龄体尺性状与各繁殖性状的表型相关很小，只有6月龄体长与断奶头数的表型相关达显著水平。而各体重、体尺性状与繁殖性状问却存在很强的遗传相关，其中70日龄体重、4月龄体重、6月龄体重、6月龄体高、6月龄胸围、6月龄背膘厚与产仔数等繁殖性状呈负遗传相关，而6月龄体长与产仔数等繁殖性状呈强的正遗传相关，这表明，腿短体长、体重适宜的母猪产仔多，繁殖性能好，应该留作种用。     

温带气候条件下母猪品种和体况对其繁殖性状的影响

为研究母猪品种和体况对其繁殖性能的影响,对杜洛克、长白、大约克和长大、大长母猪的繁殖期体况变化和窝产仔数进行了统计分析,同时对母猪体况和繁殖性能进行了相关分析。结果表明,母猪品种显著影响其繁殖性能,长白和大约克母猪的总产仔数、21日龄仔猪数、出生窝重、21日龄窝重均显著高于杜洛克母猪,其中总产仔数、21日龄仔猪数分别多0.96头和1.98头(P0.05),出生窝重、21日龄窝重增加7.19%和25.37%(P0.05),而与长大和大长二元母猪间差异不显著(P0.05)。母猪繁殖期背膘厚均显著影响母猪的繁殖性能,长白和大约克母猪配种、孕30d、分娩和21日龄仔猪断奶背膘厚均显著高于杜洛克母猪,提高6.63%~12.31%(P0.05),但与长大和大长二元母猪4个节点背膘厚差异不显著(P0.05)。母猪妊娠期和哺乳期背膘厚与总产仔数、产活仔数、出生窝重、21日龄窝重等繁殖性状均呈极显著相关(P0.01)。由此可见,母猪品种与其繁殖期体况变化显著影响繁殖性能,提示在种猪繁殖性能方面应对这些因素加以优化和改善。     

猪胎盘效率与生长肥育性能的关系

采集77头纯种大白母猪的469个仔猪胎盘性状和生长性状资料．应用个体动物模型和MTDFREML，软件进行了遗传统计分析，估计了胎盘效率(初生重与胎盘重的比率)和遗传力及其与生长性状的遗传相关。结果表明，胎盘效率有较高遗传力0．46；胎盘效率与断奶重、达100kg日龄、日增重和背膘厚的遗传相关分别为0．03、-0．45、0．37和0．12，选择胎盘效率对生长性状的影响较小。     

杜洛克猪生长和繁殖性状的遗传参数估计和遗传进展分析

本研究旨在对杜洛克猪生长与繁殖性状进行遗传参数估计，评估其遗传进展和探讨群体遗传参数变化。收集江西某核心育种场杜洛克猪育种群2014—2021年共30 319条目标性状测定记录（达100 kg体重日龄、达100 kg体重背膘厚、总产仔数、产活仔数），使用DMU软件多性状动物模型估计目标性状群体遗传参数和个体育种值，并统计这些性状在多年选育中遗传参数的变化。结果表明，杜洛克猪达100 kg体重日龄和达100 kg体重背膘厚估计遗传力分别为0.31±0.02、0.29±0.07，属于中高遗传力性状，总产仔数和产活仔数估计遗传力分别为0.09±0.01、0.05±0.01，属于低遗传力性状。达100 kg体重日龄在长期的选育中取得了较大的遗传进展，而达100 kg体重背膘厚、总产仔数、产活仔数则遗传进展较小。针对上述生长性状和繁殖性状的不同特点，应制定合理的选育手段，及时有效地开展遗传评估，以获得准确的个体育种值，并指导生产应用，加快群体的遗传改良。     

终测背膘厚与母猪繁殖性能的关系

为探究终测背膘厚与母猪繁殖性能之间的关系,指导猪场选育和提高猪场母猪繁殖性能,试验以新法系大白母猪为研究对象,收集母猪终测背膘厚和繁殖性状的相关数据,分析终测背膘厚与母猪繁殖性能之间的相关性,并研究终测背膘厚对母猪繁殖性能的影响。结果表明:终测背膘厚与初产母猪各繁殖性能之间不存在显著相关(P0.05),与经产母猪的总产仔数、产活仔数、产健仔数、窝重存在显著相关(P0.05),随着背膘厚的增加,产活仔数、产健仔数、窝重呈增加的趋势。说明终测背膘厚与经产母猪的繁殖性能存在显著相关,终测背膘厚为10.5～15.1 mm时可以最大程度地发挥母猪的优秀繁殖性能。     

加系初产母猪妊娠始末背膘厚度对其当胎繁殖性能的影响

为了探讨初产母猪不同妊娠期背膘厚度对其窝产仔数、死胎数和初生窝重的影响,本实验对加系长白和大白母猪第1胎妊娠开始(配种当天,74头)和结束(妊娠110 d,217头)时的背膘厚度进行测定,记录母猪总产仔数、产活仔数、死胎数和初生窝重等繁殖指标。结果表明:配种时背膘厚为14.0～18.0 mm的后备母猪总产仔数13.62头、活产仔数12.32头,显著高于配种时背膘厚为<14.0 mm和>18.0 mm的母猪;后备母猪妊娠110 d的背膘厚度为12.6～15.5 mm时,其总产仔数(13.14头)、初生窝重(14.93 kg)及初生个体重(1.37 kg),均高于其他3个组(P>0.05);哺乳期背膘损失随妊娠110 d后备母猪背膘厚的增大而不断增加,当母猪妊娠110 d的背膘厚>18.0 mm时,其哺乳期背膘损失达4.11 mm,且9.0～12.5 mm组和12.6～15.5 mm组的背膘损失与极显著低于其他各组。     

MTDFREML法估算长白猪繁殖与生长发育性状的遗传力

运用MTDFREML法,对正虹种猪场1998-2004年繁殖母猪2437胎次记录和522头后备猪的测定记录进行了分析。分析的性状有:总产仔数、产活仔数、初生窝重、21日龄窝重,180日龄体重与三点平均背膘厚,校正达100kg体重日龄及180日龄体高、胸围、体长和腿臀围。结果表明,4个繁殖性状遗传力范围为0.12～0.21,180日龄体重及180日龄平均背膘厚的遗传力分别为0.52和0.55,体尺性状的估计遗传力范围为0.20～0.36,生长发育性状存在一定的窝效应,估计范围为0.18～0.38。     

美系大白母猪100kg体重活体背膘厚对其首胎繁殖性能影响

本研究所用材料来源于湖北省原种猪场2001年3月-2005年10月份期间的共351窝美系大白后备母猪的测定、配种、繁殖材料。以100kg体重活体背膘厚分成4组，观察其100kg体重活体背膘厚对其首胎繁殖性能的影响。经统计分析，在种猪体况正常的情况下，100kg体重活体背膘厚对首胎窝均产活仔数和初生窝重、校正21日龄窝重、断奶窝重、首胎断奶后的发情间隔等繁殖力性状差异不显著（P〉O．05），首胎母猪配种成功率与100kg体重活体背膘厚无关。表明对于种猪背膘厚的选择不会带来种猪繁殖性能的下降。这与王爱国等（2002）报道的是一致的。     

川藏黑猪S04系选育研究

选用杜洛克公猪血缘9个（含精液）,母猪50头,组成S04系核心选育群。采用闭锁与开放相结合的选育方法,应用GBS软件进行遗传评估,主选产仔数、日增重与活体背膘厚等性状。经过多个世代的选育,经产母猪产仔数达10．36头,公猪达100kg体重日龄165．67d,活体背膘厚11．16mm,瘦肉率达64．22％,肌内脂肪含量2．88％;主选性状全面达到或超过育种目标,达配套系审定要求,成功培育了一个棕黑色的高瘦肉率专门化父系（S04系）。     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein     

Avian brood parasitism — a growing research area in behavioral ecology (part Ⅱ)

正We are pleased to publish the second special issue on avian brood parasitism and to be responsible guest editors for the two special issues of Chinese Birds (Vol. 3, No. 4, 2012 and Vol. 4, No. 1, 2013), entitled "Avian Brood Parasitism - A Growing Research Area in Behavioral Ecology". The first issue was published in December 2012. The goal of the two special issues is to publish accumulated knowledge and some of the recent developments in     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -